From Garden to Table - Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

When planting a garden in your backyard, you may want to consider plants that are suitable for gardening with children. Consider pumpkins. Involve your children in the process of planting the seeds, watching the pumpkins grow, and then making roasted pumpkin seeds when the chill of October arrives.

Children will delight in learning the basics of vegetable gardening as you expose them to the growing process from seed to pumpkin. Growing pumpkins is a way for them to understand that many steps are required to bring food to the table.

Fun Every Step of the Way

Your children can help plant the pumpkin seeds in the summer and give them water through summer and into the fall. They can also help keep the pumpkins cleared of weeds. They will also learn patience as they anticipate Halloween, when they can carve their pumpkins and roast the seeds into a delicious snack.

Here is a great way to roast pumpkin seeds. For a savory flavor, soak the fresh seeds in cooking oil and salt on waxed paper in a flat pan for one to two days, stirring occasionally until they are dry. Remove the paper, and roast the pumpkin seeds in the oven for 40 minutes at 325 degrees. Once the seeds have cooled, blot away excess oil with a paper towel. To keep the seeds fresh, package them in plastic bags or plastic wrap.

As your kids enjoy the roasted seeds, take a moment to talk to them about the pumpkins they helped create. Did they find the process fun? Was it hard to wait for the seeds to grow? What did they like best about gardening: planting the pumpkins, watching them grow, seeing the finished product, or eating the seeds? Chances are they will agree that planting, growing, carving, and roasting pumpkins were all fun activities.

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